The NCC football team has been dominant in all three phases of the game for the entire season, cruising to another semifinal appearance. They have been led by loads of experience and overall talent that is rare to find at the Division lll level.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Cardinals have been carried by the “Big Three” of quarterback Luke Lehnen, ’24, running back Ethan Greenfield, ’22, and shifty wide receiver DeAngelo Hardy, ’22.
The Big Three
This is Lehnen’s second season starting under center here for NCC. The sophomore has so far thrown for nearly 2,400 passing yards, with 31 touchdown passes. Lehnen and his targets have been clicking on all cylinders every week. Lehnen also has almost 800 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdown, making him one of the best dual-threat signal callers in all of Division III.
For years, Greenfield has been the top running back for the Cards. His 2022 campaign has been nothing short of historic as he continues to break records and cement his name into NCAA history. The Gagliardi Trophy finalist has put up jaw-dropping numbers all season long, rushing for 1,751 yards and 23 touchdowns. This goes along with his incredible average of 7.8 yards per carry.
Hardy has been easily viewed as a matchup nightmare for any defender he’s faced in the open field this season. Hardy currently sits just over 1,000 receiving yards, to go along with his 17 trips to the endzone so far this season. He is Lehnen’s go-to target and their connection has only grown as the season has progressed.
As a unit, the offense scored an average of 54.5 points per game, while accumulating an average of 560 total yards per contest. Both of these statistics rank first in Divison lll football. The Cardinals also possess the top rushing offense in the country, averaging 369.5 yards on the ground per game.
Defense wins championships
The defensive side of the ball for NCC has been just as dominant for the Cards in their run to the semifinal. This unit has shown little weakness, despite losing two members of its starting linebacking core from last season and bringing in practically an entirely new secondary.
B.J. Adamchik, ’24 is one of the two new starters added to the linebacking core and has flourished in his new role. The native of Raleigh, North Carolina leads the defense in tackles with 76 and brings a whole new energy to the unit.
Adamchik credits his teammates and coaches for allowing him to go about his business in the fashion that he does weekly.
“I’m super fortunate to step into a starting role alongside great players who I know will pick me up if I’m down. I also get to play for one of the best, if not the best, defensive coordinator in D3 (Division III). Every week coach Dierking and the staff come up with a great game plan that puts us in a position to succeed. With those two ingredients, we’ve been able to put together a great season thus far and have a ton of fun while doing it,” said Adamchik.
As a group, the defense leads Division lll in the least points allowed per game with exactly 5.0. They are also among the five best units in the nation, surrendering an average of only 196.8 yards per contest.
The rematch
The one thing standing between the Cardinals and the Stagg Bowl is a semifinal matchup against Mary Hardin-Baylor. NCC fell short against the Crusaders in the national title game last December by a score of 57-24.
The Crusaders return a few key offensive contributors who had the Cardinals’ number in their matchup last season. Quarterback Kyle King, running back Aphonso Thomas and wide receiver KJ Miller have all had tremendous seasons. They are looking to lead their group back to the Stagg Bowl for the second straight season.
Adamchik noted the opportunity to deliver some payback from 2021.
“We understand this is the toughest team we’ve played all year, but that’s exactly why we’re so excited for this game. Additionally, not only is it a semifinal game, which only four teams in the country get to be a part of, but it’s a redemption game. We let the game slip away last year. We all remember how we felt walking off of the field, and this game is a chance to right those wrongs from last year,” said the linebacker.
It just means more
Without looking too far ahead, if the Cardinals can come out victorious this weekend, they would be making their third straight trip to the Stagg Bowl next weekend. Adamchik believes another apperance in the championship game would be a massive opportunity.
“A third straight national championship appearance would help cement North Central as one of the premier programs in D3 Football.” Adamchik remarked. “With all that said, we aren’t there yet.”
The semifinal will kick off in Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The winner will take on the winner of Mount Union and Wartburg on Dec. 16 in Annapolis, Maryland at 7 p.m. EST.
